What Cats and Rats Do in Crossword Puzzles The crossword clue "what cats and rats do" refers to a classic wordplay puzzle answer. Cats and rats rhyme , making "rhyme" the standard 5-letter solution seen across major publications.

Clue Origins

This clue first appeared prominently in the New York Times on January 18, 2009, and has recurred in puzzles like Universal Crossword in 2011 and 2013.

Crossword enthusiasts note its clever phonetic twist, as "cats" and "rats" share ending sounds despite their natural enmity.

Similar clues include "Like bats, cats, and rats" or "What cats, bats, and rats do," all pointing to rhyming behavior.

Why "Rhyme" Fits Perfectly

  • Letter count : Exactly 5 letters (R-H-Y-M-E), matching typical clue constraints.
  • Definition match : Rhyme means sounds corresponding, especially at line ends in poetry—cats/rats exemplify this.
  • Puzzle history : Confirmed in databases with millions of clues; no stronger alternatives like "fight" appear.

Variations and Fun Facts

Crossword solvers often pair it with related entries:

  • "Spot for cats and rats" = ALLEY (NYT, Aug 26, 2025).
  • "Rats, to cats" = PREY , highlighting real-world dynamics.

From forum discussions, solvers love these for their simplicity yet "aha!" moment—perfect for beginners or quick dailies.

TL;DR : "What cats and rats do" = RHYME.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.